prairie dog hunting

[rhino48]

My question is where a good place to hunt prairie dogs in South Dakota, and any other info that might help a beginner?

 

[Tommie]

I'll go ahead and break the dead silence.

I started PD shooting about three years ago. At first I asked all kinds of questions on several forums and received tons of advice for every inquiry...except one: where to go. At the time it was very frustrating but now I understand. Asking a prairie dog shooter where he finds his poodles is akin to asking a serious bass fisherman where his honey hole is located. Just aint gonna happen. Don't take it personally. Now that I've found my happy place I guard it's location like my life depended upon it.

There's no easy way to scout for them unless you live in prairie dog country and can simply start knocking on land owners' doors. The surest route to popping those critters is to hook up with an outfitter. It'll set you back some dollars but it'll almost guarantee an action-packed outing.

 

[halfmile]

OK, It ain't easy. And it depends on your style. You can still get good shooting on the Rosebud, and of course you have to have a guide, usually 50 bucks a day per shooter.

A word of caution here.........Get references. My pal Tom Hired one who thought 2 guys could make a day of it on a 20 acre town. Needless to say, that didn't work out.

If you like to explore, and are willing to spend a little time, try local watering holes, the feed mill, the farm machinery store. It can be fun if you approach it right.

some county clerks have lists, which can be good or bat.

Western Cartographers have plat maps available showing who owns what land, so go for a drive with the phone book and a cellphone.

Lots of ways to skin a cat., Or shoot a sod poodle).

HM